Saturday, February 25, 2012

I'm obsessed with French coffee bowls. I love the French custom of savoring a steaming bowl of cafe au lait or chocolat in the morning. Why a bowl? Because it's easier to dip your croissant or tartine in a bowl. Why only in the morning? I don't really know, but when I was in Paris I never saw a French person drink cafe au lait or chocolat at any time other than breakfast. The rest of the day they drank strong, black espressos from tiny cups in cafes and bistros...

Friday, February 24, 2012

I've always been fascinated by doors. Of course, some doors are just ordinary, everyday entrances. But some...like these...are so beautiful and mysterious. What's behind them, I wonder? Although, the first one looks like it's mounted on a brick wall. That's truly a mystery...

I like to imagine what's behind a fabulous door...a house filled with Moroccan antiques, colorful exotic textiles, Oriental rugs, and vintage silver? An elegant French, parlor where ladies are enjoying afternoon tea? A courtyard that looks like a lush, overgrown slice of the Garden of Eden? Or a brick wall. I suppose I could knock...C

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The best thing about driving home from work in the evening is this...Nature's fireworks...awesome! I wonder sometimes what it must have been like for the pioneers...heading west on an unchartered path...into an unknown land...a land without paved roads...without buildings and phone lines to block their view...without city lights to dim the stars...it must have been amazing...

This morning, while Ralph was taking me for my daily walk, I noticed tiny, delicate leaves, new buds, and pristine white flowers on the trees. The sky was clear, the sunshine created a pale golden glow, and the breeze was cool and fresh. Spring has sprung...

Monday, February 20, 2012

Last night I began reading The Sweet Life In Paris ~ Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious ~ and Perplexing ~ City, by David Lebovitz. If you love food…and you love Paris…you’ll LOVE this book!

So I woke up this morning dreaming of crunchy whole-grain toast with creamy butter and glistening blackberry jam, and a Café noisette (espresso with a touch of milk) and perfect poached eggs in cream, with lots of pepper.

My growling stomach urged me into the kitchen…I opened the refrigerator and reached for…no eggs. And, for that matter…no bread, butter, or glistening blackberry jam. l'horreur!

I could have gone to the market right then, however grocery shopping on an empty stomach never turns out well for me. The only thing left to do was go out for breakfast. We actually have a French café close by, so I decided to take my book with me and enjoy a Parisian moment in Irving, TX. Comment fabuleuse!

I was seated at a small table in the back next to a young couple. She was French…he was Japanese…and they had an adorable little girl. They spoke to the waitress in English, but their conversation with each other was in French. The young lady had shoulder length, caramel-y brown hair and beautiful skin, was wearing no makeup, and was dressed stylishly in dark jeans, a fitted navy jacket layered over a gray sweater, with a long multi-colored scarf wrapped around her neck two or three times. He was wearing black jeans and a leather jacket. His hair was long-ish, thick, dark, and shiny. I listened to them talk…lovely, lilting French…occasionally laughing quietly or coaxing a giggle from the child.

This is what I love about living in a big city. The variety of languages…the different cuisines…lots of people who aren’t produced from the same mold…all brought together in a thriving urban environment. It reminds me of what a vast world we live in, made smaller by means of communication and modes of travel, but still culturally rich and diverse.

One of my biggest fears in life…right behind dying a slow, miserable death, or everyone seeing what a horrible house-keeper I really am if I drop dead unexpectedly…is to become one of those jaded people who don’t experience joy and wonder around every corner. Yes, I may be a little goofy….but I’m always fascinated by people, and food, and life…and I’m never bored.

The poached eggs were as wonderful as I’d hoped they would be….the toast crunchy and buttery…the jam sweet and tangy…and the coffee strong and swirled with cream. I’m off to the grocery store now, and then I'm going to Grenada Market to have an espresso and read about Paris! Bonjour! C

Carol McNeill

Carol McNeill

I have a theory, that you can learn almost anything you want to know about a person or culture by what they eat (food) how they adorn their bodies (clothing) and where and how they live (shelter).

I'm a writer, artist, designer, foodie, and urban anthropologist of sorts. To me, life is a fabulous adventure, and this blog is my attempt to observe, curate, and write about the things that I find interesting. Welcome to Planet Carol!